Cell hanging prompts coroner's concern

A coroner has recommended urgent changes to prison cell layouts in South Australia after an inquest into the death in custody of alleged killer Neil Heyward.

Heyward, 53, hanged himself in the shower of his cell at Port Augusta prison in June 2009.

He was awaiting trial for the murder of his former defacto partner Glenys Heyward in 2007.

Heyward's son Matthew and a farmhand, Jeremy Minter, were found guilty of the murder and jailed for at least 23 years.

An inquest into Neil Heyward's death was told prison officers had taunted and mistreated him before his death.

But Coroner Mark Johns found no evidence of mistreatment.

"Having considered the whole of the evidence, I am satisfied that there is no evidence to suggest that Mr Heyward's treatment while in Yatala Labour Prison or in Port Augusta prison was anything other than appropriate, subject to the glaring exception of the physical layout of the cell in which he hanged himself," he said.

'Urgency'

The coroner said it was concerning there had been an inquest into a similar death at the prison nine years earlier.

Mr Johns reiterated recommendations there be changes to cell layouts and safety he had made after three separate inquests.

"It is a matter of great concern that in the matter of the inquest into the death of Brian Keith Dewson, (former) state coroner (Wayne) Chivell had cause to consider a death by hanging in the Port Augusta prison in circumstances very similar to those that occurred in this case," Mr Johns said.

"This court has made a great many recommendations about the need to improve prison cell design by removing ligature points and rendering cells safe.

"By way of example, I have made recommendations in the matter of John Trenorden, in the matter of Arthur Charles Smith and in the matter of the inquest into the death of Daniel William Barry O'Keeffe in which I reiterated previous recommendations made in inquests in relation to safe cell practices. Once again I take the opportunity to make a formal recommendation that safe cell practices be implemented in all prisons in South Australia as a matter of urgency."

Corrections Minister Jennifer Rankine said hundreds of cells had been upgraded in SA in recent years.

"Since coming to office the State Government, through the Department for Correctional Services has continually replaced existing cell bunks, benchtops, shelving and shower units and other cell fittings that have ligature points," she said.

The minister said about 600 cells had had specific ligature points removed.

She said the Banksia Unit which opened at Port Augusta prison last month was a 90-bed unit designed to a safe cell standard.

Another 36 beds were also being upgraded in the Port Augusta cells to ensure the fittings are replaced with anti-ligature bunks.

Ms Rankine also said $1.2 million was spent in the past financial year to remove ligature points in the Yatala and Adelaide Women's prisons.